Common Concerns
Common Household Products and Poisons
Many commonly used products in the household are very dangerous to children. You must be aware of common hazards and the availability of these to your children. Medicines, cleaning products, toxins and outdoor chemicals must be locked away from children. They do not know the difference in good or bad things to play with. Always keep the poison prevention phone number easily available in case of emergency along with a hospital emergency phone number. The toll free poison prevention number is:
1-800-222-1222
Additional information about specific chemicals and recommendations can be found at: www.poisonprevention.org
Fever
A fever is the body's response to fight infections; bacterial or viral. The typical (normal) oral temperature taken by mouth is approximately 98.6°. Normal rectal temperature is around 100.0°. Elevated body temperature should be treated if greater than 101.0° oral or 101.5° rectal. It can also be treated if the child is irritable.
If fever persists evaluation by a doctor should be considered. You may treat a fever by only lightly covering your child. Encourage your child to drink; eating is not essential.
Acetaminophen (commonly known as Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (known as Motrin®) are medications which may be used. Do NOT place your child in cold water baths. Do NOT use rubbing alcohol to cool your child.
Car Safety
It is important to understand that no one car seat provides ALL the safety your child needs. You must educate yourself on the details, weight limits and instillation procedures for each individual car seat. It is your responsibility to make sure your child's car seat is adequate for him/her and that it is properly installed in the vehicle. The Kentucky State Police will many times help you learn to install your car seat appropriately. You may find additional information at: www.aap.org/healthtopics/carseatsafety.cfm
Your child's safety is dependent on an adequate car seat for his/her age. Understand what best suits your particular car and do NOT place car seats in the area of airbags. The airbags can many times be turned off if taken back to the dealership.
Do NOT leave your child alone in a parked car. Your child can die if left in a parked car. This is neglect and deadly to your child.
Rotavirus and RSV
Rotavirus - This is a common virus which can cause severe diarrhea in small children. Your child can have vomiting and copious stools which last up to 10 days. Fever and abdominal pain can be early presenting signs. Antibiotics are NOT used for this infection.
Concerns revolve around the idea of dehydration in your child. Watch for signs of dehydration and see your child's physician for persistent symptoms. Some children require IV fluids for hydration in severe cases.
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) - Respiratory syncytial virus can be very dangerous in newborns and babies. This is a virus which usually begins with a copious runny nose, fever, cough and fussiness. It can proceed to wheezing and pneumonia quickly in small children. Some children require hospitalization secondary to this virus.
Any difficulty breathing should be evaluated by your child's physician; especially in very small children. Usually fall and winter are the worst seasons for this virus. Antibiotics do NOT improve symptoms of RSV. Frequent handwashing is the easiest way to decrease the chance of transmission. Do not allow sharing of drinks and foods between children; this also may reduce transmission.
Oral Hygeine and Tooth Decay
Our doctors strongly recommend against allowing your child to sleep with a bottle. This allows accelerated decay of newly erupted teeth. This is called bottle caries (cavities caused by the bottle). Wipe new teeth after feedings and quickly initiate tooth brushing. Your child should see a dentist by 2 years of age.
Potty Training
This process should begin at approximately 2 years of age. Your child must developmentally be ready for this process. Negativity will not make your child potty train any sooner.
Your child must understand words regarding potty training. If he/she does not understand what you are talking about this will be only frustrating for both of you.
You also need appropriate equipment. Many items are available in stores. Small potty chairs are necessary. Get your child used to sitting on the potty chair prior to attempting to use.
Croup
Croup is a virus which affects many children. It is characterized by a cough which may sound like a bark. It is often referred to as a “seal”- or ”dog bark”-like cough. It can be very scary for parents when your child is having one of these coughing episodes.
Croup typically occurs at night. Again, this is a virus; therefore, antibiotics are not indicated with this illness. Treatment includes supportive care. Sooth your child; persistent crying will only worsen symptoms. You can run a hot shower allowing the steam to fill the bathroom then take the child in the steam-filled bathroom for approximately 20 minutes. This steam-filled air may open your child and allow him/her to breath more comfortably. You may also resort to a vaporizer; yet, use with caution. Do NOT leave these unattended with a child in the room.
Croup may require an emergency room visit if symptoms are severe. If your child is showing signs of respiratory distress then go to your closest emergency room.
Colic
Many parents find themselves in the midst of a child with colic. This is defined as consistently crying more than 3 consecutive hours greater than 2-3 days per week in an otherwise healthy child. Understanding colic is the key to coping with its effects. Unforntunately, physicians do not have an obvious reason for colic or why some children suffer from this and others do not. Many theories exist and these can be discussed with your child's doctor. Continuous crying babies should be seen by their physician to rule out reasons for this onset.
Additional information about colic and possible reasons for it can be found at: http://familydoctor.org/036.xml
Umbilical Hernia (commonly referred to as an “outie")
An umbilical hernia is the reason your child's “belly button” sticks out. This hernia is the failure of the abdomen to close after the umbilical cord falls off after birth. The bulge may get larger when your child cries or has a bowel movement which increases abdominal pressure. These usually close spontaneously and should be followed by your child's physician.
Make sure you can easily push the “outie” back in. If this area becomes discolored, unable to be reduced (pushed back in) or the child appears to be in pain you should see the physician immediately. In some cases children need surgery to repair this defect. Your family physician will make that referral for you and your child.
